BENIN CITY – The need for all Nigerians irrespective of political differences to ensure a violence free poll before, during and after the March 28 presidential election has be re-echoed in Benin City.
The call was made during the seminar organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Benin District 9140 and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) which attracted stakeholders from across the various political parties, market women and the youths.
Speaking, chairman of the occasion, Mr. Mike Ighini described the occasion as apt, as it aligns with the fundamental function of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in view of sensitizing/educating the electorate on violence free election.
The chairman who is also the Edo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC) said the issue of ensuring violence free elections was a multi-stakeholders affair in which they are expected to allay the people’s fear that there will be violence during and after elections.
He, however, assured of INEC commitment towards ensuring free, fair and credible election devoid of rancour.
The Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Comrade Amina Ebo, described violence as an act of physical/verbal assaults on persons, adding that there was need for urgent concern by relevant authorities/stakeholders towards eradicating the hydra-headed menace of political violence eating deep into the Nigeria democracy.
She expressed worry over the continuous use of youth to perpetrate nefarious activities doing elections.
Ebor therefore cautioned women to always conscientise their children, especially against being use to commit thuggery during elections.